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Christopher Dawson Obituary

Christopher Chad Dawson NORTH RICHLAND HILLS--On the morning of Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017, Christopher Chad Dawson lost the battle of severe depression. After years of suffering with anxiety, depression set hold and Chris was unable to escape its clutch. MEMORIAL SERVICE: 2 p.m. Thursday, Northgate Church. He found happiness in teaching Luke sport skills and watching him at his sport games. He helped Luke through a lot of his anxiety, but was overwhelmed with the thought of Luke growing up to be like him. Bree was his little princess and he never wanted to go to bed without a kiss and big hug. His children adored him and he adored them. Chris worked hard to overcome his anxiety. He obtained his business degree form TCU before deciding he wanted to commit his life to medicine. He sacrificed fun, free time, and relaxation to receive his medical degree in UTHSCSA. He then took on the challenge of surgical residency in Phoenix, Ariz. Between his ever-present anxiety, long work hours and intense stress, the Chris we knew and loved began to fade. Chris and Rachel started having extreme marital problems, but the children were always loved above all. He managed to make it through residency, but was damaged and attempted to self-medicate his hurt. He fought to get out of the deep, deep hole he was in but was afraid of the repercussion of his career if he were to get professional help. He felt hopeless, worthless, and trapped. On Saturday morning, while not in his right mind, he did the unimaginable. But that was not the Chris his family and friends knew and loved. Chris was an intelligent surgeon, a loving father who had so much to offer the world. But the sick disease of depression, anxiety and addiction did not allow him to continue the journey. SURVIVORS: Survived by his wife, Rachel Williams Dawson; parents, Ken and Joyce Dawson of Burleson; brothers, Jeremy and wife, Bianca Dawson, Colton Dawson and Michael and wife, Becky Timberlake; and a multitude of extended family.

Published by Star-Telegram on Dec. 13, 2017.
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Memories and Condolences
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Not sure what to say?





met you during my walk today. I am so very sorry for your loss. no words. You must be one of the most courage people I have ever met.

Delia

April 12, 2018

Thinking of you and grateful for your willingness to share this story with the world. As a physician we see great struggle and feel this is a part of the package. We must reshape medical education and residency and insist on reliable and non-stigmatizing support services. Thank you.

March 6, 2018

My prayers are with you. Donna, Nurse Prac

donna yates

February 28, 2018

Please accept my sincerest condolences, as a wife, mother, daughter and physician. I am deeply moved by your bravery and willingness to share Chris' story. You're adding to a much needed dialogue, and it will change things.

Niamh Z

February 10, 2018

RIP

M Boyce

January 16, 2018

I'm so sorry for your loss. Your pain is felt by all who, by their own experiences, know your loss and suffering all too well.
The words used in your obituary paint a picture of the loving, and caring person he was.
May God bless and keep you safely in his arms and may your family and friends stand near you to protect you and help you.

Gloria Ayala

January 7, 2018

I am so very sorry for your unimaginable losses. I lost my son 2 1/2 years ago to suicide. He was finishing up his 3rd year of medical school when he took his life. He suffered from Bipolar Disorder, but he was so good at hiding it, that almost none of his friends or colleagues knew he was suffering. Thank-you for your courage in writing this obituary. I know how hard it had to be. I am praying for you and your family, that you will continue to find the strength to get through each day. Also sending much love your way.

Donna
Scottsdale, AZ

January 7, 2018

I'm so sorry for your loss. As a nurse in a teaching hospital, I've seen first hand the high price paid by medical students and residents to pursue their career. Prayers for you and your family on the profound loss of your husband and your children.

Loni Duncan

January 5, 2018

I am so sorry for your loss. I also struggle with depression, and at times anxiety. I'm very familiar with this struggle. My wish is that the stigma of receiving care for mental health issues will go away. Bless you for sharing this with us, and perhaps it will encourage more to seek help for themselves, and also to be more accepting of those who need that care.

Bobbi Ingram

January 5, 2018

My heart hurts for your family now. As someone who fights the depression / medicine / parent fight daily often the only thing that keeps me from giving up is wondering who will take care of my daughter and the fact she won't get life insurance even if I could find someone.

It's hard to find the words to express my thoughts but I will say thank you for your strength and honesty sharing your personal story. You have added potentially lost time to many peoples lives including mine.

I pray for continued strength and eventual peace during this extremely hard time. I don't know you but I love you as a fellow child of God and I pray for his love and grace to cover your family.

N W

January 4, 2018

Our deepest sympathy to all of the Dawson family. We are approaching the first anniversary of the loss of our beloved son Evan, who was as well suffering from depression. He too was an accomplished academic, who had so much to offer the world, and was lost too soon. While there are no words that can adequately comfort you all, please know that there are many others who send their best wishes and hopes that you will find peace one day. Sincerely, the Nakashige family

Jocelyn Nakashige

January 4, 2018

Jocelyn Nakashige

January 4, 2018

My deepest sympathies to you and your loved ones. The honest sharing of Chris' story will save lives and do no small part in the chipping away of the stigma of mental illness. Working in the mental health field, I see daily the strength and suffering. There was a time when no one would use the word "cancer", as if by not saying the word, it wouldn't exist. Nearly one in two of us will have a mental health issue serious enough to require treatment. It is long past time to come out of the shadows and be able to seek help and understanding without fear of consequences. Hold onto your hope-it is still a beautiful world.

Debby

January 4, 2018

Thank you for sharing this message in your grief and allowing us to experience the great Love in your family. May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

James Gocke

January 4, 2018

My heart goes out to those who knew and loved Christopher Dawson and his family. May you find your way to peace.

Shannon Dougherty

January 3, 2018

My deepest sympathy to the surviving family and friends of Dr. Christopher Dawson. I am a physician and know that medicine is a difficult and fickle "mistress" demanding of ones time, energy and emotional reserve. I have always felt that it was difficult to be a physician, but even more difficult to be married to one.

Christine Fukui

January 2, 2018

I did not know Christopher nor anyone in his circle but I had to right in. Losing is hard, it changes us and we mourn it for as long as needed. I wish you all the time to mourn and all the courage to build something anew.

Jasmine

January 2, 2018

My heart fell, reading of the tragic loss of your beloved Christopher.
I flashed back to the picture of Chris being Dad, in the most natural way'...with his kids all over him. Looking at his face, I thought this must resemble, "the Chris you knew."
Your courage made me think of another dad's honesty in our local newspaper when his son died. His son died as a result of suicide and he too was honest. He mentioned how often "natural causes" is listed as the reason for a younger person death especially. He said he decided that he would not be buried, under the shame of his son's manner of death. He, like you, made a decision that his son's life was not to be undervalued by his death. He tried to show the reason he gathered the strength, to be honest, and vulnerable. I pray for you his wife, your darling children along with Chris' parents. Losing someone by death can be tragic...a death by suicide even more so.I have walked the road losing my youngest brother by suicide. Please get all the support you can and in his memory, stay unified.

LIN

January 2, 2018

This obituary was eye-opening, honest, and written with a lot of grace. The Chris Dawson I knew was a smart, fun-loving person. He was my mentor for a brief period, yet I learned a lot from him about surgery and appreciated how he made me, someone very low on the medical totem-pole, feel like a valid member of the team. He was a big part of the reason why my general surgery experience became a positive and memorable one despite its reputation as being one of the most demanding fields; I even seriously considered pursuing it as a career choice after that rotation. It was evident that he loved his family as he always shared the small things about them that made him smile. That's why it was rather jarring to hear about what Chris had been going through and what ultimately and tragically transpired. I am so very sorry and hope that everyone involved will be able to find some peace.

T H

December 31, 2017

So sorry for your loss may God be with you and all your family.Prayers coming your way l live down the street Racheal l am praying god gives u all the strength that he can give u sweetie so so sorry we all are keeping you in are prayers.

Traci Reese

December 27, 2017

I am so, so sorry. May God Grant you His Peace that passes all understanding. I will be praying for you all.

Mary Cash

December 26, 2017

I saw his story on Facebook. I am so saddened. My heart and prayers go out his family, the sweet angels and that he has found peace.

Shiloh L

December 22, 2017

I'm so very sorry...

Rachel Hagemeyer

December 22, 2017

I'm so sorry for this unimaginable loss.
As a young physician myself, I am reading this through tears. I see echos of my own struggle in Chris. The cost of Medicine as a career is too high. There is far too much suffering.

To Chris's family, I don't know you, but I love you. I pray that you will be able to find peace.

Wyatt

December 22, 2017

Thank you for helping others even in the midst of your loss and pain.

December 21, 2017

So sorry for your tragic loss. Thank you for your honesty in your words. You may help save a life by speaking openly about anxiety in the medical profession and the fears of loss of licensure. With respect and sympathy, Anxious doctor in Pennsylvania

Tricia Williams

December 21, 2017

Thank you for sharing. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Jo

December 20, 2017

To the Dear Wife, Young Children, Parents, Siblings, and Family of Christopher.... I am so very sorry and saddened to read about the passing of your loved one. Thank you for your honesty regarding Christopher struggles with depression, anxiety, addiction. I'm sorry he lost his battle...I believe and I hope you do too that he is safe with Our Heavenly Father and free from all distress and the evils that plagued him here on earth. My heartfelt condolences to all who knew and cared for Christopher God bless you....Matthew 5:4
~ JANE, SOMEONE WHO CARES

December 18, 2017

I am so sorry for your loss, prayer said ,you are in our hearts

Jodee Martin

December 17, 2017

Hello Rachael, I'm Melissa Kohler's mom. My husband & I live in Michigan. We are so very sorry for your loss and we are and will continue to lift you up in prayer. Even though we have never met you our hearts are heavy, may God give you comfort....we will continue praying. Blessings to you our sister in Christ.

Candace Peludat

December 15, 2017

My heart breaks for all of you. May you find peace and be surrounded in love from the sheer honest of this obituary. His life has meaning and purpose and you have honored him well.

Theresa Santoro

December 15, 2017

I know there are no words to say, but your courageousness, selflessness to be so honest and let the public know what your family suffered through is so touching. Depression is a horrible deep hole. The medical field is a very rewarding field but also very damaging. Nurses and Doctors, EMS and police deal with things everyday that most people would not believe. Yet we do keep it to ourselves and go on. I applaud you and your family bringing depression to light again and I am sure it will help people. Take care.

December 15, 2017

C Duarte

December 15, 2017

Chris I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you. I know you were in pain because of what happened. But my friend you are at peace now. I will always hold you in my heart.

Jay yueng Ph.D

Classmate

December 14, 2017

Praying for all those suffering from this tremendous loss. May God wrap his loving arms around you all, and comfort you now and always.

Anonymous

December 14, 2017

So, so sorry for this loss. To Rachel and to Chris's family, I wish you all strength and peace as you find a way forward. Chris is no longer sick and no longer in pain, and I hope you are able to find comfort and thoughts of him free of his disease. You're in my thoughts constantly.

Krissy Askins

December 14, 2017

My prayers are with the young Mrs Dawson and the elder Mr and Mrs Dawson, pray that God will bring you comfort in this very hard time.

Carmen Witthoft

December 14, 2017

I know there are no words to say, but your courageousness, selflessness to be so honest and let the public know what your family suffered through is so touching. Depression is a horrible deep hole. The medical field is a very rewarding field but also very damaging. Nurses and Doctors, EMS and police deal with things everyday that most people would not believe. Yet we do keep it to ourselves and go on. I applaud you and your family bringing depression to light again and I am sure it will help people. Take care.

December 14, 2017

Prayers for the family

December 14, 2017

My condolences to him and most certainly, my extreme anguish over those children.

A Weiss

December 14, 2017

I'm so sorry Mrs. Dawson. May God grant you comfort and peace at this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you!

Heidi Wong

December 13, 2017

This is one of the most authentic and honest obituaries I have ever read regarding a physician suicide. I am so very sorry for everything that your family is going through and am sending prayers from another physician who knows the pain of depression and suicide. We have a support group for family members who have lost loved ones in medicine to suicide. If you wish to join or need support of any kind please reach out to me. I am available 24/7 at 541-345-2437 if you need to talk. RIP sweet sweet souls.

Pamela Wible MD

December 13, 2017

Anonymous

December 13, 2017

Praying for this family who is in the throes of such unimaginable pain. .Believing that That our Father 3 in one is sending the Comforter to each of you. God is with you always even during the most excruciating times.

Pamela McGuire

December 13, 2017

So so sorry for your losses Mrs. Dawson. I can not imagine what you are going through but I do hope you put your trust in God and use your faith to get through this. Bless you ma'am.

Pamela Carter

December 13, 2017

For the Dawson Family,

I am a complete stranger, but one who have surely said a prayer for you all. Although your hearts are very sad and broken hard at this time. Know that your family chain will be brought back together one day. You must remember that (God) loved your family that are now gone away, just as much as (He) loves you.

Remain closely well bonded. For your strength for one another shall surely keep you warm with love and peace.

A stranger who is most touched by your loss and praying for you all.

Bernita Keys

Bernita Keys

December 13, 2017

Oh my goodness. Such a double tragedy for your family. It brought tears to my eyes for your family's loss. Even though I don't know your family I am praying for you to find strength through all of this. God bless all of you

Stephanie Spencer

December 13, 2017

I do not know Chris, his family or friends, I actually ran across this obituary while looking for another, God's work. I admire the love, strength and courage reflected in his obituary, bringing Depression & Addiction forward. It is real and so many times hidden. Lifting his family in prayer, there are no words to say. Through the hurt and pain,I pray this will touch others battling the same thing or know someone that is.
Lifting Rachel his wife in prayer.

December 13, 2017

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